Chapter 329: Ten Years (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Chapter 329: Ten Years (Seeking Monthly Votes)
Baiyuan Market.
This market was established atop a massive ice vein, its buildings meticulously constructed from stacked ice blocks, giving them the appearance of crystalline palace complexes.
Legend had it that the establishment of this market involved stakes from the nearby Profound Ice Palace, Ice Fiend Sect, and the Core Formation Zhao family.
Consequently, it was highly trusted by rogue cultivators within a thousand-li radius, revered as a sacred ground for transactions and exchanges.
On this particular day, a streak of azure light descended upon the market's entrance, revealing a burly man with a truly formidable and malevolent aura, whose cultivation had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage.
"Greetings, esteemed Senior. . ."
The gatekeeper, a mere Qi Refinement cultivator, instantly approached with a face wreathed in smiles: "Welcome, Senior, to Baiyuan Market. Here is your token, please keep it safe. . ."
"Hmph."
Upon entering the market, he released his divine consciousness, covertly sweeping it across every corner. Once he had a general understanding, he proceeded towards a particular building.
"Fellow Daoist, might you be seeking to rent a cave abode?"
A Foundation Establishment steward sat cross-legged upon a futon. As Fang Xi entered, a practiced, formulaic smile immediately blossomed on his face.
Most Core Formation cultivators in the Yuan Kingdom were individuals of renown, but the level of attention paid to Foundation Establishment cultivators plummeted considerably, even for those at the late stage!
"Precisely. . ."
Fang Xi managed to squeeze out a faint smile: "I am seeking an excellent cave abode, one where I can meticulously hone my late Foundation Establishment magic power to its peak, in preparation for my future Core Formation breakthrough. . . Do you have any third-order cave abodes available?"
"Naturally, we do. Furthermore, our market has a Core Formation ancestor permanently stationed here, ensuring absolute security. " The steward's smile immediately became several shades more genuine; this was indeed a lucrative deal!
...
Half a day passed.
Within a particular cave abode.
The cave abode's walls were faintly translucent, comprised of towering ice partitions within which runes flickered, constantly refracting and reflecting a myriad of lights, creating a breathtakingly beautiful spectacle.
Fang Xi had also set up an additional set of formations, safeguarding the entire cave abode. Only then did he stand with his hands clasped behind his back, surveying his new dwelling: "Not bad at all. . . The spiritual energy here is even superior to that in my cave abode in Green Wood Forest. . . It's certainly ample for cultivation."
Though the Mountain Sea Pearl was excellent, alas, its spirit vein's grade remained too low, merely around second-order. It was fundamentally unsuitable for Core Formation cultivators to practice in.
Having accumulated a decent harvest from his years of constant travel, Fang Xi naturally needed to properly lay low and focus on cultivation.
Disguising himself as a Foundation Establishment cultivator and casually seeking out a market with a third-order spirit vein to rent a cave abode, while perhaps a touch high-profile, was ultimately inconsequential.
After all, there were but a sparse handful of Nascent Soul cultivators in the Yuan Kingdom, and more critically, the Nascent Soul old monsters from both the righteous and demonic paths appeared to have suffered severe vital injuries, rendering them unlikely to venture out easily.
Even if Core Formation cultivators harbored designs on his wealth. . . that would simply be them delivering spirit stones to him.
Moreover. . . Fang Xi estimated that, given his circumstances, he would at most attract a few Foundation Establishment-stage rogue cultivators intent on robbery.
"However. . . before all that, I must first thoroughly resolve the matter concerning the 'Illusory Heart Orchid'."
Having activated another formation restriction to seal off all prying gazes, Fang Xi's figure flickered, vanishing from the cave abode. Only a blue pearl remained, slowly descending to rest upon the futon.
Within the Mountain Sea Cave Abode.
Green Corner Fish Dragon watched Fang Xi with curiosity, observing as its master selected a corner and meticulously arranged a multitude of formation artifacts, assembling a formation that exuded a palpable chill.
"Using this formation as the foundation, with ten-thousand-year profound ice as the array eye, and supplemented by secret arts such as the 'Ice Breath Art'. . . maintaining the spiritual plant's vitality for over a hundred years should pose no significant issue."
Placing the potted 'Illusory Heart Orchid' within the formation, Fang Xi swiftly formed hand seals, streams of magic power pouring into each formation flag as if utterly inexhaustible.
Bzzzt! Bzzzt!
A layer of frigid mist emerged, and wherever it swept, ice instantly spread, even coalescing into a small, miniature ice mountain.
Once Fang Xi withdrew from the formation, the area where it had stood was astonishingly transformed into an icy peak wasteland. Only by fully activating his Purple Qi Heavenly Eye could he, deep within the heart of the ice mountain, discern a faintly visible orchid. . .
"Excellent, this formation performed precisely as I envisioned, without a single flaw. . ."
Fang Xi nodded in satisfaction, acknowledging that after drawing wisdom from myriad sources, his mastery of formations had once again advanced.
"Yet. . . there's still some distance to go before I can set up a teleportation array. . . If, one day, I manage to construct a teleportation formation, even merely a short-range one, it would signify that my mastery of formations has at least reached the third-order superior-grade, wouldn't it. . ."
He nodded, then proceeded to the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning, commencing his unwavering cultivation of the 'Longevity Art'!
As vital life force continuously flowed into his being, in a momentary haze, Fang Xi almost deluded himself into believing that with merely the 'Longevity Art' and the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning, he could attain true longevity.
Yet, he knew full well this was but a fleeting illusion!
Even if the Demonic Tree of Primordial Beginning could infinitely extend his lifespan, it merely granted the path to longevity, without providing the means to protect that path. Should he encounter formidable foes or insurmountable perils, he would still be annihilated into dust and ashes!
Thus, he needed to diligently elevate his cultivation!
Following his session with the 'Longevity Art', Fang Xi, as was his custom, inspected the condition of the Taisui.
This peculiar 'meatball' was indeed quite docile; as long as it was continuously supplied with grain, it would ceaselessly produce monster meat.
However, Fang Xi had already decided to reduce the amount of meat harvested from the Taisui and instead increase the intensity of its feeding, incorporating various high-grade monster flesh and blood, along with pills. His goal was to rapidly elevate its demonic power to the peak of the second-order, then utilize his current resources to assist its breakthrough to the third-order!
And the Green Corner Fish Dragon?
It remained as it always had been; after all, within the Mountain Sea Pearl's cave abode, there was no possibility of external enemies.
"Guard the spirit herb garden carefully, and that expanse of ice mountains; not the slightest damage is permitted. . ."
Having given his instructions, Fang Xi then departed from the Mountain Sea Pearl's cave abode.
Within the frigid cave abode, streams of spiritual energy mingled with cold qi assailed him, enveloping Fang Xi in a refreshing coolness that purified his mind considerably.
"Cultivating in a place like this, the chances of inner demons emerging should be significantly reduced, shouldn't they?"
"These past few years of rushing about, coupled with fencing ill-gotten gains and attending grand auctions. . . I haven't properly undergone secluded bitter cultivation even once."
Fang Xi sat cross-legged upon his futon, forming the Withered Glory hand seals, and plunged into a deep state of cultivation.
...
Ten years passed.
Within the frigid cave abode.
Fang Xi gazed intently at the pill cauldron positioned before him.
This particular pill cauldron had been taken from the Saint Son's alchemical chamber. Its surface bore ten thousand beast reliefs, from which a subtle, ferocious aura faintly emanated—it was, astonishingly, a third-order magic treasure!
At this very moment, Fang Xi's gaze remained fixed on the cauldron, occasionally spitting forth a mouthful of verdant alchemical flame.
Enveloped by the alchemical flame, the myriad beast reliefs on the cauldron's surface appeared to spring to life, becoming increasingly vivid and lifelike.
Purple light shimmered within his eyes, and he abruptly slapped the pill cauldron.
Bzzzt! Bzzzt!
Amidst the rumbling roar of the cauldron, three purple pills, each accompanied by unusual phenomena, shot forth.
As he executed the pill-collecting hand seals, the alchemical patterns on the surface of the pills became exceptionally clear, settling into Fang Xi's palms.
"Gold Source Pills. . . three formed, each one a genuine article."
Fang Xi examined the medicinal properties, then slowly nodded: "It seems. . . my alchemy should now be at the third-order mid-grade level, wouldn't you say? All the materials I expended previously were not wasted after all. . ."
In order to elevate his alchemical prowess, he had extensively procured spiritual herbs from various markets, investing no small portion of his wealth.
Beyond his arduous cultivation over these past ten years, he had also primarily devoted himself to alchemy, yielding considerable gains.
"I am now two hundred twenty-seven years old. . . and the Withered Glory Chant has progressed further. Perhaps in another ten or twenty years, I'll be able to cultivate the fifteenth layer of the Withered Glory Chant to perfection and attempt to advance to the late Core Formation stage, wouldn't I? Naturally. . . the prerequisite for that is a superior spirit vein."
Fang Xi's brow furrowed.
During his recent cultivation, he had subtly sensed that the spiritual energy within this cave abode was growing somewhat inadequate.
This was, of course, not an issue with the spirit vein itself, but rather with him!
"It's primarily due to the increased cultivation speed granted by the Wood Spirit Body. . . Otherwise, the spiritual energy here should be entirely sufficient for my needs."
"Fortunately, a slight deficiency in spiritual energy is tolerable. . . It would merely delay things by a decade, extending the timeline from fifteen or twenty years to around thirty, but I could still cultivate to the peak of mid-stage Core Formation."
"Next up are the vast quantities of spiritual pills accumulated over these ten years. . . I should find an opportune moment to sell them off."
Although the pills that could directly enhance cultivation had been consumed by Fang Xi, he still possessed a substantial quantity of other alchemical products. These all needed to be exchanged for spirit stones, which would then be used to acquire higher-grade spiritual herbs, further honing his alchemy. . . thus establishing a virtuous cycle.
If he failed to achieve self-sufficiency, then even the Saint Son's incredibly vast inheritance would, one day, inevitably be exhausted by Fang Xi.
After meticulously storing the pills, Fang Xi donned a human-skin mask, once more transforming his visage into that fierce, malevolent mien, and stepped out of the cave abode.
...
Wind Listening Tower.
This establishment served as an intelligence agency within Baiyuan Market, renowned for its consistently well-informed news.
Fang Xi, now with a clear objective, strode directly into the tower.
"Fellow Daoist, what sort of intelligence might you be seeking?"
The early Foundation Establishment shopkeeper, upon seeing Fang Xi, couldn't help but have his eyes gleam with interest.
"I have been in arduous secluded cultivation for many years, and thus am not particularly apprised of the major affairs within the cultivation world. . . Therefore, I'll take a comprehensive compilation."
Fang Xi flicked out several mid-grade spirit stones, his voice cold.
"Ah, I understand. . . Esteemed patron, if you would kindly proceed to the Class A private room!"
The shopkeeper's face was wreathed in smiles.
By the time Fang Xi entered the Class A private room, spiritual tea and refreshments had already been meticulously prepared within.
Not long after, the shopkeeper himself entered, bearing a tray: "Esteemed patron, do you wish to inquire about the major events in the cultivation world from the past five, ten, or fifty years? Our establishment maintains records for all, each with varying price points. . ."
"For the past ten years, then. A detailed report, please."
Fang Xi stated with an air of complete indifference.
"Understood. Here you are!"
The shopkeeper picked up a white jade slip and presented it to Fang Xi.
Fang Xi casually accepted it, and his divine consciousness swiftly probed within.
Countless densely packed words, some accompanied by images, surged forth like a torrent, which his powerful divine consciousness meticulously categorized one by one.
He had been in secluded cultivation for ten years, and no truly significant events had transpired within the Yuan Kingdom's cultivation world.
The Nascent Soul old monsters of the Hunyuan Sect and the Red Blood Cult remained in secluded cultivation; for beings of their caliber, a single period of seclusion lasting fifty or sixty years was entirely normal.
Curiously, a notorious demonic fiend from the Red Blood Cult—the 'Profound Yin Old Demon'—had perished without apparent cause.
This particular demonic fiend was infamous; it was rumored he cultivated the vile art of harvesting yin to supplement yang. Who knew how many innocent fairy maidens had fallen prey to his sinister clutches in the past? Now, with his sudden demise, even the Red Blood Cult could uncover no trace of how it occurred, a development that, naturally, brought great satisfaction and applause from many cultivators across the Yuan Kingdom.
Beneath the Nascent Soul powers lay the various Core Formation factions, which, in contrast, experienced fluctuations of rise and decline.
For instance, the 'Golden Sword Sect', having lost its sole Core Formation ancestor, was annexed by the 'Righteous Qi Sect' several years prior.
"Oh?"
Fang Xi's eyes landed on a piece of news, and he couldn't help but feel a touch of surprise.
Within the latest piece of intelligence, it was astonishingly mentioned that the Profound Ice Palace's Grand Elder, 'Mu Yu', was also suspected to have gone missing, or perhaps even perished in secluded meditation!
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